As a top-level predator, the poor health of dolphins in the most heavily oiled areas suggests possible ecosystem-wide effects of the oil. Dolphins can inhale oil vapors, ingest oil when feeding, absorb it through their skin or eat contaminated fish.

The impacts of the Gulf oil disaster will be unfolding for years, if not decades. The initial disaster response focused on removing oil, with little action taken to address the long-term wetlands habitat degradation exacerbated by the oil disaster.

BP and the other companies responsible for the Gulf oil disaster will rightly pay billions in penalties for their flagrant violations of the Clean Water Act. But unless Congress takes action, money from these fines could end up spent on unrelated programs.